The STCW 78 Convention was the first global Convention to establish minimum professional standards for seafarers. It reflected the highest practicable standards which could be globally agreed at the time of its adoption. The main criticism of STCW 78 has been the general lack of precision in its standards which were left "to the satisfaction of the Administration" and resulted in varying interpretations of its standards.

Since its development, the structure of the world's merchant fleet and the management and manning of its ships have changed. The fleets of traditional maritime countries have declined and the major sources of supply of seafarers have changed. Criticism of the 1978 Convention has gradually grown and in 1993 it was decided that high priority must be given to its revision under an accelerated procedure.

The Regulations have been completely revised. An indication of the major changes to the general provisions (Chapter I) may be gained from Table 1. A more detailed explanation of the most significant changes is given within this Bulletin.

For each Regulation there is a corresponding requirement in the Mandatory Code (Part A) which bears the same number as the Regulation but has the prefix "A". For example, Section "A-VI/2" expands the requirements of "Regulation VI/2". The Non-Mandatory Code (Part B) provides guidance on the requirements of Part A and uses the prefix "B" ( e.g., "Section B-VI/2").

1. "Management level" - means the level of responsibility associated with:
   1. serving as master, chief mate, chief engineer officer or second engineer officer on board a seagoing ship; and
   2. ensuring that all functions within the designated area of responsibility are properly performed;
2. "Operational level" - means the level of responsibility associated with:
   1. serving as officer in charge of a navigational or engineering watch or as designated duty engineer for periodically unmanned machinery spaces or as radio operator on board a seagoing ship; and
   2. maintaining direct control over the performance of all functions within the designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures and under the direction of an individual serving in the management level for that area of responsibility;
3. "Support level" - means the level of responsibility associated with performing assigned tasks, duties or responsibilities on board a seagoing ship under the direction of an individual serving in the operational or management level (e.g. ratings).

1. "200 gross registered tons" may be replaced by "500 gross tonnage"; and
2. "1600 gross registered tons" may be replaced by "3000 gross tonnage".

1. A table of differences as indicated above;
2. Information on Clarification of Regulation 1/15 of STCW 95 and on implementation of the provisions of Chapters V and VI and on revalidation of certificates STCW 78;
3. The list of certificates or documentary evidence required under the STCW Convention, which give details of whether an endorsement is needed and records or certificates which should be maintained in a register or registers; and
4. For the purposes of Regulation I/9.4.1, guidelines on the development of a data base for certificate registration.

The register or registers mentioned above must include all certificates and endorsements for masters and officers and, as appropriate, ratings, which are issued, have expired or have been revalidated, suspended, cancelled or reported lost or destroyed and of dispensations issued. The Party must make available information on the status of such certificates, endorsements and dispensations to other Parties and companies which request verification of the authenticity and validity of certificates produced to them by seafarers seeking recognition of their certificates under Regulation I/10 or employment on board ship.

Copies of STCW 7/Circ 1. may be obtained from VMS, NY.

Section A-I/8 also covers matters primarily relating to officer producing countries which include the education and training objectives and that the related standards of competence to be achieved are clearly defined and identify the levels of knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to the examinations and assessments required under the Convention. However, under the Amendments, flag States have additional responsibilities. Consequently, the breadth and depth of involvement of countries using the certificate holders certificated under the Amendments and the scope of their quality standards system needs careful study.

1. each seafarer assigned to any of its ships holds an appropriate certificate in accordance with STCW 95 and its own legislation;
2. its ships are manned in compliance with the safe manning requirements of the flag State;
3. documentation and data relevant to all seafarers employed on its ships are maintained and readily accessible and include, without being limited to, documentation and data on their experience, training, medical fitness and competency in assigned duties;
4. seafarers on being assigned to any of its ships are familiarized with their specific duties and with all ship arrangements, installations, equipment, procedures and ship characteristics that are relevant to their routine or emergency duties; and
5. the ship's complement can effectively co-ordinate their activities in an emergency situation and in performing functions vital to safety or to the prevention or mitigation of pollution.

In particular, written instructions to the master of each ship setting out the policies and the procedures to be followed to ensure that all seafarers who are newly employed on board the ship are given a reasonable opportunity to become familiar with the shipboard equipment, operating procedures and other arrangements needed for the proper performance of their duties, before being assigned to those duties. These policies and procedures must include:

1. allocation of a reasonable period of time during which each newly employed seafarer will have an opportunity to become acquainted with the specific equipment the seafarer will be using or operating;
2. ship specific watchkeeping, safety, environmental protection and emergency procedures and arrangements the seafarer needs to know to perform the assigned duties properly.
3. the designation of a knowledgeable crew member who will be responsible for ensuring that an opportunity is provided to each newly employed seafarer to receive essential information in a language the seafarer understands.
4. ensuring that seafarers are free from fatigue, that rest periods are observed and that watch schedules are posted and readily available for viewing by port State control officers and crew members (see "Watchkeeping" for more details). 

The "clear grounds" mentioned above include: a collision, grounding or stranding; an illegal discharge; operations which pose a danger to persons, property and the environment and "deficiencies" which include: failure to hold an appropriate certificate; failure to comply with the Safe Manning Document's provisions; watch arrangements which do not conform with those specified by the flag State; absence in a watch of a qualified person; inability to provide for watches persons who are sufficiently rested and otherwise fit for duty.

It is thus essential that extreme care is taken to ensure that the detailed requirements of STCW 95 are met at all times to avoid detention and delay to the vessel.

1. ensures that during the required period of seagoing service the candidate receives systematic practical training and experience in the tasks, duties and responsibilities of an officer in charge of an engine-room watch;
2. is closely supervised and monitored by a qualified and certificated engineer officer aboard the ship in which the approved seagoing service is performed; and
3. is adequately documented in a training record book.

The standard of competence required for a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats and those for certification in advanced fire-fighting and in medical first aid are all incorporated by reference in the requirements for certification as officer in charge of a navigational watch in seagoing ships of any size and for certification as officer in charge of an engineering watch. In the case of alternative certificates (Chapter VII), the standard of competence for each function and level of responsibility is identified in the appropriate competence table provided for each certificate issued under Chapter s II, III and IV. Reference therefore has to be made to one or more of the tables of the STCW Code. The standards of competence required for traditional and alternative (functional) certificates are thus exactly the same.

Where there are no tables of competence for the support level in respect of certain functions, it remains the responsibility of the Administration to determine the appropriate training, assessment and certification requirements to be applied to personnel designated to perform those functions at the support level.

Demonstration of Competence and Assessment of Evidence (Deck and Engine) is to be obtained from a practical test, or approved in-service experience or approved training ship experience.

Ratings assigned special duties on tankers must also be duly certificated (Regulation V/1). Those serving on ro-ro passenger ships must hold documentary evidence that they have completed the necessary sea service and found to be duly qualified (Regulation V/2).

Seafarers engaged in any capacity on any seagoing ship who are to be assigned any safety or pollution prevention duty in the operation of the ship must produce evidence of having achieved or retained the standard of competence specified for basic training within the previous five years. (see Section A-VI/1, paragraph 2).

Seafarers designated to control fire-fighting operations must hold a special certificate, endorsement or documentary evidence of having attended a course in advanced fire-fighting (Regulation VI/3). Candidates for certification or endorsement must provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence within the previous five years.

Seafarers designated to provide medical first aid on board a seagoing ship must hold a special certificate, endorsement or documentary evidence of having attended a course in medical first aid as specified in Section A-VI/4, paragraphs 1 to 3.

The standards of competence for holders of certificates appropriate to GMDSS are given in Section A-IV/2 of the Code.

Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers and ratings on ro-ro passenger ships have been introduced.

Regulation VI/3 specifies the mandatory minimum requirements for training in advanced fire-fighting, the standard of competence for which is given in Section A-VI/3 for the STCW Code.

In both cases, those with safety and pollution prevention duties in the operation of the ship must provide evidence that they met the appropriate standard of competence within the previous five years.

Regulation VI/2 specifies the mandatory minimum requirements for the issue of certificates of proficiency in survival craft, rescue boats, and fast rescue boats (which requires attendance at an approved training course).

Regulation VI/4 specifies the mandatory minimum requirements relating to medical first aid and medical care (Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code) for seafarers designated to take charge of medical care on board ship.

1. the Party must first inform IMO of the relevant provisions;
2. the same education, training and competence is required as for Chapters II, III and IV;
3. equivalent sea-going service is required as per the STCW Code;
4. a radio certificate is required for navigational watchkeeping;
5. seafarers must hold a certificate to perform all functions at the operational level or above referred to in either Chapters II or III;
6. an equivalent level of safety is required and the competence of officers must not be reduced;
7. alternative certification is not to be used in itself to reduce the size of the crew, de-skill individual crew members or to combine deck and engineering duties during any particular watch.

Notwithstanding the above provisions, the minimum period of 10 hours may be reduced to not less than six consecutive hours provided that any such reduction shall not extend beyond two days and not less than 70 hours of rest are provided in each seven day period.

Watch schedules shall be posted where they are easily accessible.

1. The Officer in charge of a watch must be duly qualified in accordance with STCW 95.
2. Officers in charge of the navigational watch are responsible for navigating the ship safely during their period of duty, when they shall be physically present on the navigating bridge or in a directly associated location such as the chartroom or bridge control room at all times.
3. Radio operators are responsible for maintaining a continuous radio watch on appropriate frequencies during their periods of duty.
4. Officers in charge of an engineering watch, as defined in the STCW Code and under the direction of the chief engineer officer, shall be immediately available and on call to attend the machinery spaces and, when required, shall be physically present.
5. An appropriate and effective watch or watches are maintained for the purpose of safety at all times, while the ship is at anchor or moored and if the ship is carrying hazardous cargo, the organisation of such watch or watches takes full account of the nature, quality, packing and stowage of the hazardous cargo and of any special conditions prevailing on board, afloat or ashore.

The competence of all of us is open to examination - flag States, shipowners, masters, officers and other seafarers. STCW 95 is almost upon us and it is incumbent upon all concerned to study the Convention at least as closely as the port State control officers and find out exactly what is expected of us. Let us get it right first time. Vanuatu will continue to provide information on all conventions' requirements but any Owners who are in doubt, are invited to direct their questions to VMS, attention Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs. See contact details.